Published: August 24, 2012
Lanterns released from jetty by Dylan Cecil's family after body is found

The family of Dylan Cecil, the four year-old boy who slipped into the sea from Burnham's jetty, released lanterns in his memory during a special ceremony last night (Thursday, August 23rd).

Just hours after the body of a child was washed up at Burnham Sailing Club, his parents joined family members and supporters in releasing the symbolic lanterns over the town's beach, as pictured here.

The body was discovered at 12.30pm on Thursday next to the Sailing Club's pontoons at the mouth of the River Brue, half a mile from where he went missing.

His parents, Rachel McColum and Darren Cecil, said the discovery of the body had brought them 'closure' after four days of looking for their son.

Rachel said: "We've got our boy back and he's not out there anymore - he's not lost at sea."

"We can put a closure on it now and move on with what we need to do."

Father Darren added: "The thing we were worried about was him never coming back. Now we've found him we can get closure."

Following the discovery of the body, Dylan’s family said in a statement: "We would like to thank everyone for their help and support during this difficult time. We would like to express our gratitude for all the messages of sympathy and support from both the local community and wider public across the nation."

Grandparents David and Jackie McCollum laid a pink rose on the beach near Burnham Sailing Club where Dylan was found.

A minute's silence in Dylan's memory will be held at 10am this coming Sunday at the start of Burnham's annual rescue services day. And a church service will be held at 6pm the same day in St Andrew's Church to remember the youngster one week after the tragedy occurred.